Faculty/Services: Faculty of Science
Educational level: higher vocational education/university
Function type: Support Staff
Closing date: 03-07-2022
Vacancy number: 9078
The Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is located at the vibrant Amsterdam Science Park. HIMS is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science. With around 140 employees, HIMS carries out internationally high-quality chemical research and provides education within various university programs. This is done in close cooperation with the medical, biotech, chemical, flavour & food, and high-tech industries.
The Synthesis & Catalysis theme encompasses organic synthesis and all aspects of catalysis, including homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, biocatalysis, flow chemistry, organocatalysis, and catalysis engineering. Projects range from fundamental to applied research.
For this research theme we are looking for three part time (3-4 days) research lab technicians. The lab technician should intensively collaborate with other technicians/labmanagers, the scientific staff, as well as with the (PhD-) students and postdocs that perform the daily research.
Introduction
Do you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary research setting and do you want to be active in running cutting edge laboratories and supporting world leading scientists? The Van ’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences is looking for three part time research laboratory technicians.
What are you going to do
As a lab technician you will be in charge of the operation of advanced chemical laboratories and equipment. You will be part of a team of scientific staff and one or two other technicians. You are challenged to find creative solutions to advance scientific research at a world leading level and guard the lab safety.
Tasks and responsibilities:
- help scientific staff to assemble, test, improve and operate routine and complex research infrastructure in the field of synthesis and catalysis chemistry;
- keep updated on novel equipment and processes on the market and advise your supervisor about innovations and possible applications into our (future) research;
- exhibit the highest degree of reliability and accuracy to assure quality and reproducibility of results;
- perform daily management and organisation of the laboratory;
- instruct (in collaboration with the supervisor) PhD- and undergraduate students on laboratory work processes and a safe working environment;
- manage usage, operation and maintenance of instruments and instruct new users;
- Introduction to new team members in lab (safety) procedures and guarding the implementation;
- travel to workshops, collaborators and other universities in the Netherlands may be occasionally required;
- keep updated with relevant literature related to the research field;
- actively participate in meetings on research, infrastructure, organization and/or safety;
- negotiate with suppliers, order consumables and instrument parts and oversee assembly thereof;
- Contribute to the general technical skill set of the institute and organizational tasks (First aid, BHV, software superusers etc);
- Occasionally participate in outreach activities like lab tours or preparing demo’s.
Your experience and profile:
The general requirements for all open positions are:
- Bachelor degree (HBO or WO) in chemical engineering or chemistry;
- A strong commitment to safety and the safety of others;
- Strong team-player with excellent interpersonal skills;
- Hands-on problem solving mentality;
- Good time- and project-management skills;
- Competent with computers (software, hardware, networks);
- Good communication skills in both Dutch and English (many of the tasks involve interactions with Dutch companies and service providers).
Below the specific requirements per position are given.
- For the Flow Chemistry lab: Experience in maintenance of pumps, mass flow controllers and other chemical equipment like rotavaps, mass spectrometers, inline analytical technology is crucial. Knowledge of programming and electronics and an interest in programming is a plus.
- For the Homogeneous Catalysis lab: Experience in maintenance of pumps, GC, GCMS, HPLC,
IR, UV VIS is crucial. Familiarity with equipment beyond measurement is required.
Knowledge of gas equipment (high pressure, swagelok) or an interest to learn is a plus.
Competency (or affinity) with computers (software, hardware, networks), familiarity with
purchasing and chemical inventory (i.e. labservant) are a plus
- For the Heterogenous Catalysis and Catalysis Engineering lab: Experience in conducting chemical experiments and analysis using standard analytical techniques; experience with spectroscopic techniques is a plus. Knowledge of programming and electronics and an interest in programming.
Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 22,8 -30,4 hours per week for a period of 12 months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. If we assess your performance positive, a permanent contract will follow.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between €2,376 and €4,093 (scale 7-9). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Technicus onderw.- en onderz.gebonden is applicable. For this position we can not sponsor a visa. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.
- 232 holiday hours per year (based on full-time employment) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
- multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
- multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
- 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
- partly paid parental leave;
- a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two-thirds of the contribution;
- the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
- help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.
About us
The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavor & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.
The Synthesis & Catalysis encompasses organic synthesis and all aspects of catalysis, including homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, biocatalysis, organocatalysis, and catalysis engineering. Projects range from fundamental to applied research, with strong valorization aspects. The Synthesis & Catalysis represents these research groups:
The Flow Chemistry Group’s mission is to expand the available chemical space by embracing technology to the fullest extent. The aim of the Flow Chemistry group (a.k.a. the Noël Research Group) is to build bridges between chemical engineering and organic synthetic chemistry. Consequently, long-standing problems in synthetic chemistry can be overcome, which includes scalability, gas-liquid reactions, photochemistry, electrochemistry and the generation and use of hazardous reagents. This allows us to effectively expand the available chemical space by bringing overlooked or avoided reagents into play.
The Heterogeneous Catalysis & Sustainable Chemistry group and the Catalysis Engineering group focus on developing fundamental and applied knowledge on materials, catalysts and chemical processes for a variety of sustainable chemistry and sustainable energy applications. Both groups collaborate frequently with the chemical industry and use fundamental understanding in catalysis and materials science to find sustainable solutions to real-life problems.
The Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis Group main research objective is the development of novel catalytic processes driven by our knowledge of the relationship between structure and performance of the catalyst. Research projects span from fundamental to applied catalysis, the latter in collaboration with industry and via spin-off companies.
Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.
Questions
Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:
- For Flow Chemistry labs Prof. dr. ing. Timothy Noel, E-mail: t.noel@uva.nl
- For Homogenous Catalysis labs Prof. Dr. Joost N. H. Reek , E-mail: J.N.H.Reek@uva.nl
- For Heterogeneous Catalysis labs, dr. Shiju Raveendran, E-mail: n.r.shiju@uva.nl
Job application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. Please specify which group you wish to apply with. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 31 July 2022.
Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):
- a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
- a letter of motivation.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. We will recruit until each position is filled with a suitable candidate.
The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.
If you encounter Error GBB451, reach out to our HR Department directly. They will gladly help you continue your application.
No agencies please